Stark County Fair stage is safe, say officials

Doug Staley

Wednesday

Aug 31, 2011 at 12:01 AMAug 31, 2011 at 2:37 PM

The stage the Stark County Fair Board rents for its grandstand shows was designed by James Thomas Engineering — the same company that manufactured the stage that collapsed in Indiana. However, Stark Fair Board President Jim Tressel was reassured that the stage is safe, during a conversation with Sound Rental Service, which is responsible for setting up the structure.

Stark County Fair officials say there are major differences between the stage being used at the fair and the one that collapsed earlier this month at the Indiana State Fair during a powerful storm, killing five people and injuring dozens of others. Local officials admit, however, that the same company designed both stages.

The collapse of the stage in Indiana came moments after an announcer warned of the advancing storm and gave instructions on what to do in event of an evacuation, according to The Associated Press. Three minutes later, undetectable straight-line winds caused the stage to come crashing down. The stage the Stark County Fair Board rents for its grandstand shows was designed by James Thomas Engineering — the same company that manufactured the stage that collapsed in Indiana. However, Stark Fair Board President Jim Tressel was reassured that the stage is safe, during a conversation with Sound Rental Service, which is responsible for setting up the structure.

Tressel noted that Stark’s stage is much smaller than the one that collapsed in Indiana, measuring 30 feet by 40 feet, and is similar to a flatbed trailer.

In addition, no lighting or other fixtures are attached to the roof of the stage at the county fair, which is used only for grandstand shows, Tressel said.

“It’s engineered so that you don’t put anything on the roof,” he said. “I was told there were tons of (lighting and fixtures) on the Indiana State Fair’s ... . We have zero on ours.”

Fair officials always treat threatening weather seriously, Tressel said, adding auxiliary members of the Stark County Sheriff’s Department are responsible for executing an evacuation plan. The plan has been adopted by fair managers throughout the state, according to Tressel.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.